Tide gymnastics suffers a huge setback

Alabama gymnastics must complete its 2008 season without Olympian Terin Humphrey.

Humphrey as a 2004 Olympic silver medalist

Crimson Tide coach Sarah Patterson said this morning that the chances for Humphrey's return from lingering back problems were "slim and none." Humphrey told Tuscaloosa News beat reporter Tommy Deas later this afternoon that she is retiring from the sport.

"It's kind of time to retire," Humphrey said. "It's kind of sad. This being my senior year I was really looking forward to it and summer was going great and then all of a sudden, setbacks. There's nothing I could do. It's disappointing but I had a great career."

Humphrey has competed in only four meets this season and only on the uneven bars. Her final performance earned a 9.725 on Feb. 29 against Florida.

She was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, and still has her own Web site.